Diversity Visa Lottery — DV-2026, eligibility, application

The Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) is a US State Department program that annually distributes 55,000 immigrant visas (green cards) to natives of countries with low rates of immigration to the US over the last 5 years.

DV-2026 Official country eligibility list (verified data)

Official source: State Department DV-2026 Plain Language Instructions

DV-2026 registration period: Oct 2, 2024 - Nov 7, 2024 · Verified: 2026-05-25

Countries NOT ELIGIBLE for DV-2026 (official State Dept list)

These 19 countries had MORE than 50,000 immigrants to the US in past 5 years, therefore NOT eligible:

• Bangladesh
• Brazil
• Canada
• China (mainland + Hong Kong)
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Haiti
• Honduras
• India
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Republic of Korea (South Korea)
• Venezuela
• Vietnam

Note: Cuba is NEW to the ineligible list for DV-2026 (was eligible in prior years).

Hispanic countries ELIGIBLE for DV-2026

✅ Guatemala — eligible ✅ Peru — eligible ✅ Ecuador — eligible ✅ Argentina — eligible ✅ Nicaragua — eligible

Hispanic countries NOT eligible

❌ Mexico — Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years ❌ El Salvador — Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years ❌ Honduras — Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years ❌ Cuba — Newly ineligible for DV-2026 ❌ Colombia — Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years ❌ Venezuela — Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years ❌ Dominican Republic — Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years

DV-2026 verified program facts

• Annual visas: up to 55,000
• Fee: FREE (online entry at dvprogram.state.gov)
• Check results: starting May 3, 2025
• Visa issuance deadline: September 30, 2026
• Requirements: high school completion OR 2 years qualifying work experience

How it works

1. State Department announces eligible countries each fiscal year
2. Eligible applicants enter online during application window (typically October-November)
3. Random lottery selects winners (announced in May the following year)
4. Selected applicants apply for visa (either at consulate abroad or AOS in US)
5. Visa issued in following fiscal year if applicant otherwise admissible

Eligibility — country of nativity

You must be a native of an eligible country. The list changes annually because it depends on each country’s immigration totals over the prior 5 years. The eligibility on this page is the official DV-2026 list shown in the verified section above.

Eligible for DV-2026: Most of Africa, parts of Europe (Albania, Ireland), parts of Asia (Cambodia, Laos), Oceania. Among Hispanic-origin countries, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, and Nicaragua are eligible for DV-2026.

Not eligible for DV-2026: The 19 high-immigration countries listed in the verified section above — among Hispanic-origin countries that means Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. Guatemala is not on the DV-2026 ineligible list.

Because the list changes year to year, a country’s status in one program year does not carry over to the next. Always confirm the current program year’s list before relying on it.

Check current list at: travel.state.gov/dvprogram

Eligibility — education or work

In addition to country, you need:

Either:

• High school education or equivalent (12 years of formal education, no GED accepted)

Or:

• 2 years of work experience in qualifying occupation within the last 5 years (occupation requiring at least 2 years training/experience per Dept of Labor O*NET database)

The application process

Step 1: Apply online during window

• Free at dvprogram.state.gov
• Open ~October 1, close ~November 5 each year (verify exact dates)
• Need: passport-quality photo, current passport details, education info

Step 2: Wait for results (May following year)

• Check at dvprogram.state.gov/ESC
• You will NEVER receive an email from State Department about winning (only emails from your own application URL)
• DV scams: anyone emailing you saying “you won DV” is FAKE

Step 3: If selected, file Form DS-260 (online immigrant visa application)

• Currently $330 USCIS fee
• Medical exam, police certificates, financial support proof

Step 4: Consular interview OR AOS in US

• If outside US: interview at US consulate in your country
• If in US legally: file Form I-485 for adjustment of status
• Must be completed BEFORE September 30 of program year (only 55,000 slots)

Step 5: Receive green card

Important rules

• One entry per person (per program year). Multiple entries DISQUALIFY.
• Spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included on application AND receive green cards if you’re selected.
• Children born AFTER you’re selected can be added.
• You are NOT required to leave the US if you win and are already in legal status.

DV scams to AVOID

• NEVER pay anyone to enter the lottery on your behalf — entry is FREE
• State Department NEVER emails lottery winners directly
• “Premium services” or “guaranteed winners” are scams
• Real DV info: only at travel.state.gov (.gov domain)

Why this is valuable

• $0 cost to apply
• Family green cards (you + spouse + minor children) for one application
• Random selection — no merit qualification beyond minimum requirements
• Path to citizenship via green card
• Quick: 12-18 months from selection to green card

What to do if your country isn’t eligible

If your country isn’t on the DV list:

• You can still enter if your spouse is a native of an eligible country
• You can still enter if your parents are both natives of eligible country and you weren’t born in your current country of residence (rare scenario)
• Otherwise, look at other paths (employment-based, family-based, asylum, etc.)

Resources

• Official State Department DV: travel.state.gov/dvprogram
• Application portal: dvprogram.state.gov (only during application window)
• Results check: dvprogram.state.gov/ESC
• DV scam reporting: travel.state.gov/scams

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

← See all paths to legal status

Related procedural information

• Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
• ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
• USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
• Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
• Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections

General procedural information based on official sources. Not personalized legal advice.